The state Certificate of Need Review Board approved HealthSouth’s request to transfer 17 beds previously in use at the closed Physicians Carraway Medical Center in Birmingham for use at the proposed new facility.

The move was opposed by the company that owns Shelby Ridge Health & Rehab in Alabaster. Chris Schmidt, who owns the company with his mother, told the board this morning that the proposed HealthSouth hospital would take away patients that allow his Alabaster facility to stay in business.

Decisions of the Certificate of Need Review Board can be appealed to Montgomery County Circuit Court. Schmidt said he has not decided whether to appeal.

Several other companies who had opposed the HealthSouth request withdrew their opposition before today’s hearing at the State Capitol auditorium. Shelby Ridge was the only remaining opponent.

The 17 beds from Carraway, in addition to the new beds, would give HealthSouth the 34 beds it says it needs to operate the new facility. The company has already purchased land off the northbound side of I-65, near Shelby County 52.